School Leadership, Faculty, & Staff
The collaborative efforts and intentions of the Board of Trustees, alumnae, parent, employee, and student communities promote the energy, excellence, and values of the school.
Westridge teachers and administrators care about the lives of our students, and through example, strive to invest a lifelong love of learning in every student. Seventy percent of Westridge faculty members have advanced degrees and many are continuing their education at the graduate level. As leaders within their profession and their disciplines, many faculty members present seminars and workshops to educators at local, state, and national levels.
Administrative Leadership Team
Head of School
Andrea Kassar
Chief Finance & Operations Officer
Linda Ross
Director of Advancement
Diana Bernal O'Leary
Director of Athletics
Melanie Horn
Director of Communications
Kim Kerscher
Director of Equity
Ian Tatum
Director of Human Resources
Kelly Block
Director of Lower & Middle School
Zanita Kelly, Ed.D.
Director of Technology
Sally Miller
Director of Upper School
Gary Baldwin
Senior Director for Enrollment Management & Student Outcomes
Sarah Jallo
Board of Trustees
As the governing body of Westridge School, each member of the Board of Trustees is deeply committed to the school’s mission, values, and traditions. Westridge is fortunate to have an active board whose trustees dedicate themselves to upholding and strengthening the school’s focus on developing in girls their intellectual and creative powers and their unique qualities as individuals.
2023-24 Board of Trustees
Valerie Rubio Lemmon ’92 – Board Chair
Mike Burke
Sigrid Burton ’69
Cathy Colloff
Akila Gibbs
Kirsten L. Hansen ’83
Marc S. Harris
Suzanne D. Icaza
Tina Li Kleindorfer
Richard B. Lord
Jim Lygopoulos
Donald L. Morgan, Ph.D.
John Scott Mulchaey, Ph.D.
Shahbano Nawaz ’98
Ismael Obregon
Daniel Prince
Khalid Rashid
Elizabeth Russell ’69
Vicki von Holzhausen ’90
Emily Ko Wang ’93
Teri Wilde ’69
Wendy Wu Iwata
Joseph J. Ybarra
Jessica Yang ’10 – Alumnae Board Chair
Meet Our Faculty & Staff
We're proud of our top-tier faculty, a group that combines subject-matter expertise with inspirational teaching. They also bring diverse backgrounds to our campus. Learn more about the faculty at Westridge by reading one of our Faculty Q&As below!
We talked with Lower School Science Teacher Liz Kim about her journey from the zoo to the classroom, passion for STEM, and philosophy on science education.
We talked with Upper School Computer Science and Robotics Teacher Autumn Rogers about why she chose Westridge, how her classes are informed by her industry experience, and her philosophy that anyone can code.

Brandon Kruhm has more than a decade of experience in theatre education as a theatre camp director, teaching artist, and director. He joined Westridge in 2014 and assumed the role of director of theatre in 2017.

Danielle Houser joined Westridge in 2006 and currently teaches fifth grade mathematics. A graduate of State University of New York (SUNY) at New Paltz, she has two master's degrees from Adelphi University and Ball State University and over two decades of teaching experience. In this Q&A, find out more about her work in the Lower School at Westridge, her passion for teaching girls, and her belief that we are all "math people."

David Prince holds a B.A. from Colorado College and an M.F.A. from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. He joined Westridge full-time in 2014, but previously taught Upper School ceramics and summer school part-time at Westridge. He runs Adjunct Positions, a gallery and project space that has been written about in Los Angeles Magazine and the New York Times, out of his home in Highland Park.

Director of Lower & Middle School Zanita Kelly, Ed.D.'s 25-year career spans teaching (elementary through graduate school), overseeing curriculum and instruction, and academic leadership for grades K-5, most recently as Upper (Elementary) School Head at Saint Mark’s School in Altadena. Her published work and academic presentations address such topics as global partnerships, multicultural classrooms, assessment practices, and the joy of social and emotional learning.

The 7th Grade Cultural Studies program is an interdisciplinary course that combines English (taught by John Cross) and history (taught by Gigi Bizar) to engage students in connecting historical and cultural events.

Sixth Grade Math Teacher Kenzie Brownsmith has a B.A. in Urban Environmental Policy from Occidental College and multiple subject teaching credentials from CalStateTEACH. Kenzie's wife, Val Brownsmith, teaches Middle School mathematics here at Westridge.

Middle and Upper School Orchestra Teacher Kerri Epps earned her Bachelors degree in Music Education with an emphasis in violin from UCLA and is currently pursuing her Masters degree in Music Teaching and Learning from the University of Southern California. She has nearly 10 years of teaching experience that ranges from the elementary to the collegiate level.

Ryan joined Westridge in 2013, following two years as a visiting assistant professor at Whittier College, where he taught college writing and lower and upper division biology classes. Prior to that, he was a postdoctoral researcher and visiting scholar at University of California, Riverside. He holds a B.A. from Pomona College and Ph.D. from the University of California, Los Angeles.
Stephanie earned her Master of Library & Information Science with a focus on youth librarianship from UCLA and has since worked as assistant librarian at Pacific Oaks College and as an apprentice librarian at Windward School. Before pursuing her passion for library science, she held diverse positions working in a veterinary clinic, photography studio, and as a costuming intern at Walt Disney World.

In this interview, get to know Upper School English teacher Tarra Stevenson, who describes why the Perspectives in Literature class (pictured above) is like a "playground," why she chose to teach at Westridge, and more.

Valerie "Val" Brownsmith joined Westridge in 2017 to teach 7th grade mathematics. A graduate of Smith College, she earned her master's degree in administration from Concordia University, and has 10 years of experience teaching math and developing curriculum in the Glendale Unified School District. In this Q&A, find out more about her work at Westridge to make learning math a hands-on and all-around fun experience.
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Head of School
B.A., University of Chicago
M.A., Columbia University
M.A., The New School for Social Research
Maintenance Technician
Faculty - Upper School Chemistry
B.S., University of Melbourne
M.Ed. and Graduate Diploma in Education, Monash University
Director of Upper School
B.A., Colgate University
M.A., University of Nebraska
A.L.M., Harvard University
Website and Digital Content Manager
MBA, San Francisco State University
B.S., San Francisco State University
Dining Services
Faculty - Middle School History
B.A., Mills College
Single Subject Teaching Credential, Mills College
Faculty - Middle & Upper School Dance
Dance Conservatory Diploma, Boston Conservatory of Music
Ballet Society of Connecticut
Director of Human Resources
B.A., California State University, Los Angeles
Librarian
B.A., University of Central Oklahoma
M.L.I.S., University of California, Los Angeles
Business Office Coordinator
Faculty - English
B.A., Kennesaw State University
M.A., Georgia State University
M.A., University of Southern California
Ph.D., University of Southern California
Faculty - Upper School Chorus
B.A., Bowie State University
M.M., Catholic University of America
Faculty - Middle School Science
M.S., California State University, Northridge
B.S., California State University, Northridge
Faculty - 6th Grade Math
B.A., Occidental College
Multiple Subject Teaching Credential, CalStateTEACH
Faculty - 7th Grade Computer Science
M.S., Concordia University
Faculty - Upper School Math
B.A., Boston University
M.S., New York University
M.A., University of California, Los Angeles
C.Phil., University of California, Los Angeles
Ph.D., University of California, Los Angeles
Faculty - Upper School Computer Science, Yearbook Advisor
B.A., University of California, Berkeley
M.A., University of Phoenix, Honolulu
Dining Services
Faculty - Middle School Science
Science Department Chair
B.S., Stanford University
M.A., Stanford University
Faculty - Upper School Math
B.S., University of California, Irvine
Network Administrator
B.S., California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
Faculty - Upper School Mandarin
B.A., East China Normal University
Faculty - Physical Education
B.A., University of Redlands
M.Ed., University of Washington
Dean of Upper School Student Activities
B.S., California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
M.Ed., Azusa Pacific University
M.S., Clemson University
Controller
MBA, Pepperdine
B.S., California State University, Northridge
Faculty - Middle School English
B.A., University of California, Los Angeles
M.F.A., University of Iowa
Faculty - Upper School History
B.A., Bucknell University
M.Ed., University of Maryland
Administrative Assistant to Enrollment Management and Student Outcomes
B.A., California State University - Los Angeles
Faculty - Upper School Math
B.A., Princeton University
Speech & Debate Teacher/Coach
B.A., Seton Hall University
M.F.A., Brandeis University
Faculty - Middle & Upper School Theatre
B.A., San Francisco State University
M.F.A., University of Southern California
Faculty - Upper School History
B.A., University of Michigan
M.A., University of California, Los Angeles
Dining Services
Faculty - Art
B.A., University of Florida
M.F.A., California State University, Los Angeles
School Nurse
Faculty - 5th Grade Language Arts/Social Science
B.A., University of Southern California
M.A., University of Southern California
California Preliminary Administrative Credential, University of Southern California
Faculty - Upper School English
B.A., Vassar College
M.A., Antioch University
Faculty - Lower School Strings
B.M., Bob Cole Conservatory of Music, California State University, Long Beach
Director of College Counseling
B.A., Pepperdine University
M.F.T., Hope International University
Ed.D., University of Pittsburgh
Executive Assistant to Head of School
B.A., California Lutheran University
Faculty - Upper School Science
B.S., University of Maryland, College Park
M.S., California Institute of Technology
Chef
Faculty - Middle & Upper School Orchestra
B.A., University of California, Los Angeles
Single Subject Teaching Credential, UCLA Center X
Campus Safety
Director of Teaching & Learning
B.A., University of Sussex
Production Assistant
Certificate in Technical Theatre, Pasadena City College
Registrar
Advancement Database Administrator
B.A., George Mason University
Faculty - Upper School Spanish
B.A., University of Alabama, Birmingham
M.A., University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Ph.D., University of California, Los Angeles
Faculty - Upper School History
B.A., Vassar College
Maintenance Staff
Faculty - Upper School Spanish
Ph.D., University of California, Irvine
M.A., University of California, Irvine
B.A., University of California, Riverside
Faculty - Lower & Middle School Physical Education
B.A., California State University, Northridge
Dean of Lower & Middle School Student Support
B.A., Principia College
Library Assistant
A.S., California Culinary Academy
Faculty - Upper School History
B.A., University of Oregon
M.A., San Francisco State University
Graduate Credential in Education, University of California, Santa Cruz
Faculty - Upper School Science
B.S., Cornell University
M.A.T., Brown University
Costume Designer
B.A., University of California, Los Angeles
B.F.A., California Institute of the Arts
Dean of Lower and Middle School Student Activities
B.A., Ashford University
M.Ed., Concordia University, Oregon
Senior IT Manager
B.S., California State University, Los Angeles
M.S., University of Phoenix
Lower & Middle School Assistant
Director of Athletics
B.A., University of California, Los Angeles
M.S., California State University, Fullerton
Faculty - Lower School Math
B.S., State University of New York at New Paltz
M.A., Adelphi University
M.A., Ball State University
Faculty – Middle School History & Human Development
B.A., Arizona State University
Dean of Lower & Middle School Student Voices
B.A., University of California, Santa Barbara
Senior Director for Enrollment Management & Student Outcomes
B.A., Emerson College
M.A., California State Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo
Assistant Controller
M.S., Texas A&M University
Counselor
B.S.W., University of Kansas
M.S., National University
M.A. MFT, African American Family Studies Specialization, Pacific Oaks College
Faculty - Upper School Art
B.F.A., Pratt Institute
M.F.A., San Francisco Art Institute
Faculty - Upper School History
B.A., Smith College
Ph.D. candidate, University of Minnesota
Production Manager
B.A., Marquette University
Director of Lower & Middle School
B.S., University of Illinois
M.Ed., National Louis University
C.A.S., University of Illinois
Ed.D., Pepperdine University
Director of Marketing and Communications
B.A., University of Chicago
Faculty - Lower School Science
B.S., University of California, Davis
Single Subject Teaching Credential
M.A., California State University, Los Angeles
Faculty - Middle School Math
BS.c., University of Regina, Canada
BE.d., University of Regina, Canada
Director of Facilities
B.A., National University of Architecture and Construction of Armenia
M.S., National University of Architecture and Construction of Armenia
Director of Theatre
B.F.A., Adelphi University
Director of Counseling and Student Support
B.A., Olivet Nazarene University
M.A., Fuller Theological Seminary
M.S., Fuller Theological Seminary
M.A., Rosemead School of Psychology
Psy.D., Rosemead School of Psychology
Dining Services
Director of Annual Giving
B.A., University of California, Los Angeles
M.P.A., California State University, Northridge
Faculty - Lower School Spanish and Computers
B.A., Occidental College
Assistant to the Director of Upper School
B.A., Ball State University
Scenic & Properties Designer
B.A., University of Southern California
M.A., Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama
Faculty - Middle School Math
B.S., Lafayette College
M.S.M.E., University of Delaware
M.B.A., University of Southern California
Multiple Subject Credential, Point Loma Nazarene University
Single Subject Teaching Credential, Point Loma Nazarene University
STEAMWorks Design Studio Coordinator
B.A., Colorado College
M.F.A., San Francisco Art Institute
Faculty - Upper School Latin
B.A., University of Michigan
M.A., University of Southern California
Ed.D., University of La Verne
Upper School Dean of Student Support
B.A., University of California, Santa Barbara
M.A., University of California, Santa Barbara
Learning Support Specialist
B.A., Colorado State University
M.A., Fuller Theological Seminary
M.Ed., Azusa Pacific University
STEAMWork Design and IT Assistant
Director of Technology
Faculty - Middle School Computer Science
B.A., Chapman University
M.A., California State University, San Bernardino
Human Development Coordinator
B.A., Whittier College
Health Office Assistant
A/V & Tech Support
Lower & Middle School Learning Support Specialist
B.A., University of California, Riverside
M.Ed. and Clear Credential in Special Education, California State University, Northridge
Director of Advancement
B.S., DePaul University
M.S., Loyola University Chicago
Senior College Counseling Associate
B.F.A., Otis College of Art and Design
Maintenance Staff
Faculty - Physical Education
B.A., University of Washington
B.A., University of Washington
M.A., Concordia University of Irvine
Facilities Manager
Faculty - Middle School English
B.A., Occidental College
M.A., New York University
Faculty - Upper School Spanish
B.A., California State University, Los Angeles
Faculty - Lower & Middle School Chorus
B.M., Ewha Women’s University, Seoul, Korea
M.M., Westminster Choir College
D.M.A., University of Southern California
Communications Associate
B.S., Boston University
Faculty - Lower School History
Ph.D., King's College, University of London
Master of Divinity, Fuller Theological Seminary
B.A., Colorado State University
Multiple Subject Teaching Credential, CalStateTEACH
Application Support Specialist
B.A., California State University, Long Beach
M.S., California State University, Long Beach
Faculty - Middle & Upper School Rocketry
B.S., University of Georgia
M.S., University of Virginia
Faculty - Upper School Spanish and Partnership for Success! Site Director
B.A., University of California, Los Angeles
Multiple Subject Teaching Credential and Single Subject Teaching Credential in Social Science, California State University, Los Angeles
M.A., University of Southern California
M.A., University of Salamanca, Spain
Ed.D., University of California, Los Angeles
Faculty - Lower School Math
B.A., Denison University
M.A.T., Simmons College
Faculty - Middle and Upper School Latin
B.A., Boston College
M.A., University of Colorado at Boulder
Ph.D., University of Southern California
California Preliminary Single Subject Teaching Credential
Faculty - Upper School Art
B.A., Colorado College
M.F.A., School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Faculty - Upper School English & Writing Center Co-Director
B.A., University of Miami
M.A., Purdue University
Faculty - Middle School English
B.A., Colby College
M.Ed., Lesley University
Advancement Administrative Assistant
Campus Safety
Main Office Assistant
Network Administrator
A.A.S., ITT Technical Institute
College Counselor
B.A., Loyola Marymount University
Faculty - Upper School Computer Science
B.S., University of Utah
M.F.A., California Institute of the Arts
Faculty - Middle School Spanish
B.A., Universidad Autónoma, Madrid
Chief Finance & Operations Officer
B.A., University of California, Santa Barbara
Athletics Coordinator
B.S., University of La Verne
Maintenance Technician
Digital Literacy Coordinator
Faculty - Lower School Computer Science
B.A., University of California, Santa Barbara
M.A., California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
Faculty - Middle & Upper School Yoga
B.F.A., University of Cincinnati - College Conservatory of Music
Faculty - Middle School Mandarin
A.A., Beijing Foreign Studies University
B.A., Beijing Language & Culture University
Faculty - Upper School Art
B.A., Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design
M.F.A., Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design
Director of Admission
B.A., University of California, Los Angeles
M.Ed., University of California, Los Angeles
Ed.D., University of California, Los Angeles
Technical Director
B.A., San Francisco State University
Faculty - Upper School Science
B.A., Pomona College
M.A., Teachers College, Columbia University
Ph.D., University of California, Los Angeles
Assistant Director of Admission
B.A., University of Southern California
M.A., New York University
Faculty - Upper School English and Service & Community Engagement Coordinator
M.A., Institute for Humane Education/Valparaiso University
Single Subject Teaching Credential, San Francisco State University
B.A., University of Colorado, Boulder
Faculty - Upper School English, Creative Writing, & Writing Center Co-Director
B.A., University of California, Davis
M.A., Loyola Marymount University
M.F.A., University of California, Riverside
Faculty - 5th Grade
B.A., State University of New York at Buffalo
M.Ed., University of Phoenix
Faculty - Upper School English
M.F.A., San Francisco State University
B.A., San Francisco State University
Faculty - Upper School Science
B.A., Point Loma Nazarene University
Director of Equity
A.A., Parkland Community College
B.S., Eastern Illinois University
M.Ed., University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Faculty - Lower School Art
B.A., University of California, Santa Barbara
B.F.A., Art Center College of Design
Assistant Director of Family Engagement & Events
B.A., University of California, Riverside
Faculty - Upper School Science
B.S., Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Ph.D., California Institute of Technology
Facilities Assistant
B.A., Mount Saint Mary's University
Director of Alumnae Engagement
B.F.A., Beijing University
M.F.A., University of Southern California
Communications Specialist
B.S., University of Richmond
Faculty - Upper School English
B.A., Vassar College
Faculty - Lower School Language Arts/Social Science
B.A., University of California Los Angeles
Administrative Assistant to College Counseling
B.A., University of California, Los Angeles
Faculty - Upper School Math
Diploma in Teaching, Bachelor of Teaching, Adelaide College of Arts and Education
Director of Dining Services
B.S., Art Institute of California at Los Angeles
Faculty - Upper School English
B.A., Colgate University
M.A., Bread Loaf School of English/Middlebury College
Faculty - Middle School Art
B.A., University of California, Los Angeles
Post-Graduate Studies, Malmö Art Academy
M.F.A, University of California, Irvine
Faculty - Upper School Math
B.S., Harbin Institute of Technology
M.S., Lamar University